Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 lineup marks a return to form for Android tablets, offering a compelling blend of performance, portability, and premium design. With two models available—the 11-inch Tab S11 and the 14.6-inch Tab S11 Ultra—Samsung has refined its tablet strategy to cater to both casual users and power professionals. After a month of testing the 11-inch Tab S11, it’s clear this device is the most balanced Android tablet of 2025.
Priced at $800, the Tab S11 delivers flagship performance in a compact form factor, making it ideal for travel, productivity, and entertainment. While the Ultra model offers more screen real estate and storage, the standard Tab S11 hits the sweet spot for most users.
Design and Display: Sleek, Sharp, and Durable
The Tab S11 features a slim 5.1mm chassis, matching the thickness of Apple’s iPad Pro M5. It retains Samsung’s Armor Aluminum Frame and IP68 rating, making it both scratch-resistant and waterproof. The 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels at 275 ppi, with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits—ideal for outdoor use.
Unlike the Ultra model, the Tab S11 has no camera notch, allowing for an uninterrupted viewing experience. The front-facing camera is discreetly embedded in the bezel, enhancing the tablet’s sleek aesthetic.
Despite anti-glare technology, some reflections persist in bright sunlight. However, the absence of a scratch-prone coating (found on the Ultra) is a welcome omission.
Performance and Hardware: Speed Meets Efficiency
Powered by the Dimensity 9400 Plus processor, the Tab S11 includes a Cortex X925 core clocked at 3.73GHz and a 12-core Immortalis G925 GPU. It ships with 12GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, expandable up to 2TB via microSD.
Benchmark scores on Geekbench 6 show:
- Single-core: 2,763
- Multi-core: 8,762
- GPU: 20,455
These numbers reflect a 25% performance boost over the Tab S10 Plus. While Apple’s iPad Pro M5 scores higher in multicore tests, the Tab S11 holds its own in real-world usage, especially for Android-based workflows.
Samsung’s shift from Snapdragon to MediaTek chips has sparked debate, but the Dimensity 9400 Plus proves efficient and cool under pressure. The tablet remains comfortable during extended gaming sessions, with only minor heat buildup near the center.
Gaming and Multimedia: High Frame Rates and Vivid Visuals
The Tab S11 supports up to 120fps in graphically intensive games like Asphalt Legends Unite, a significant upgrade from the 60fps cap on previous models. The OLED display enhances contrast and color depth, making streaming and gaming visually immersive.
Audio performance is solid, with quad speakers tuned by AKG and Dolby Atmos support. Combined with the high refresh rate and sharp visuals, the Tab S11 is a top-tier entertainment device.
Productivity and AI Features: Smarter and Faster
Running Android 16.0 with One UI 8, the Tab S11 integrates Samsung’s latest AI enhancements. These include real-time transcription, smart summarization, and contextual app suggestions. The NPU performance bump is noticeable, especially during multitasking and voice-to-text operations.
The tablet supports Samsung DeX, allowing users to switch to a desktop-like interface when connected to a monitor or keyboard. The bundled S Pen offers low-latency input and magnetic charging, making it ideal for note-taking and creative tasks.
Storage and Battery: Expandable and Enduring
The Tab S11 includes 128GB base storage, with a $60 upgrade option to 256GB. The microSD slot supports up to 2TB, a jump from the 1.5TB limit on the Tab S10.
Battery life is robust, with an 8,400 mAh cell supporting 45W fast charging. In mixed-use testing, the tablet lasted 11 hours on a single charge, outperforming many competitors in its class.
Verdict: The Android Tablet to Beat
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the most well-rounded Android tablet of 2025. It combines premium hardware, a vibrant display, and efficient performance in a compact form. While the Ultra model offers more features, the 11-inch Tab S11 is the better value for most users.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, the Tab S11 delivers speed, style, and substance—making it the high-end Android tablet to beat.
